Let's Be Like WATER

Let's Be Like WATER

I am not an avid follower of Chinese Culture but let's face it, there are numerous Chinese philosophers from whom we can pick up lessons in life.  Lao Tzu, a Chine Philosopher, is one WHO suggest that Let's Be Like WATER.  And to quote him: NOTHING UNDER HEAVEN IS AS YIELDING AS WATER.  AND YET IN ATTACKING THE HARD, THE UNYIELDING, NOTHING CAN SURPASS IT.  NOTHING CAN TAKE ITS PLACE.  THE WEAK OVERCOMES THE STRONG, THE SOFT SURPASSES THE HARD'💴💷💵

Indeed, WATER is one of the softest substances known to mankind, YET it can mold the landscape, pick up and toss about massive trees, and preserve life, helping plants grow and creatures survive harsh summers.  Indeed, WATER looks perfectly weak when it's calm BUT it is a force of nature.  Like WATER, we too, can be soft and still greatly impact the environment.  First, though, we must overcome the socially propelled notion that strength and softness are POLES APART📗📙📘

The late Bruce Lee, the Hong Kong-American martial artist and actor was very famously known to really admire WATER, and to quote him:  'EMPTY YOUR MIND, BE FORMLESS. SHAPELESS, LIKE WATER.  IF YOU PUT WATER INTO A CUP, IT BECOMES A CUP.  YOU PUT WATER INTO A BOTTLE, AND IT BECOMES A BOTTLE.  YOU PUT WATER IN THE TEAPOT, IT BECOMES A TEAPOT.  NOW, WATER CAN FLOW OR IT CAN CRASH.  BE WATER'.  And swinging back to himself and his life, Bruce Lee said 'IN ORDER TO CONTROL MYSELF, I MUST FIRST ACCEPT MYSELF BY GOING WITH AND NOT AGAINST MY NATURE'

Yip Man, the trainer and mentor of Bruce Lee, kept reminding him:  'LEARN THE ART OF DETACHMENT'.  As Bruce Lee was relentless to win at all costs but MASTER Yip saw potential problems in the horizon.  And if his student will continue on that same path, he knew it that things will NOT end well.  So, one phrase was a constant: 'STAY CALM, BRUCE'.  And after a certain training, MASTER Yip told Bruce Lee to go home and rest for a week✅✅✅

Then Bruce Lee tried meditating BUT it was to no avail.  His mind kept getting the better of him.  So he decided to go sailing on the water and while at sea, old memories kept flashing back in his head.  The teenager got extremely mad and clenched his fists and even punched the waters.  So, that became the turning point in his life and at that moment, he realized what MASTER Yip was trying to teach him.  While on the surface, the waters seem weak BUT in reality it was NOT.  Heard of shipwrecks which were caused by the harshness of the WATER?  That's our takeaway here.  WATER seems soft but it could even cut through even the hardest of surfaces.  So, like Bruce Lee, let us be like WATER, soft but hard and hardened enough if need be❗❗❗